The bionic ankle part one

The Journey began some 45 years ago when a 15 year old boy grew to fast, but the last 20 years has really taken its toll and has lead the eventual demise of my ankle.  Sprained ankles at mud football games, hikes with The Boy Scouts, stepping off foundations at construction sites, building fences, soccer practices with my kids, football, walking the mall, etc...; it was discovered that if there was a way that I could twist, turn, roll or mess up my ankle, I found it.

Fast forward to the fall of 2010:

These were taken before surgery, notice the extended heal in left x-ray and also notice the severe angle of the ankle in the far right x-ray.  

 Fast forward again to July 2012; the night before surgery:

I am trying to stand as upright as possible.  Notice the contrast between the ankles.  I am physically unable to place my right foot flat on the floor.

While Friday the 13th's are unlucky for some, they have always been good to me.  Thus, my reason for having my surgery on that day.
5:45am-arrive at hospital
7:00am-took trolly to OR
7:07am-said 'hello' to the doctor and anistiologist and the next thing I knew.....
11:40am-arrive in room; I think ;)
3:15pm-was offered lunch, or at least that's what they called it.....NOT
3:30pm-A wonderful gentleman named Alvin, my physical therapist, proceeded to come in to tell me he was here to get me up and moving around the hospital. My answer was NO, Pam's was more along the lines of GET OUT; you can't be that stupid?!
Doctor later confirmed Alvin needs to go sing with the Chipmunks and leave me alone.
They tried to deliver me dinner, but no matter what I said, no one was willing to deliver me a Philly Cheese steak sandwich, but apparently, when you are in the hospital, cold cream of mushroom soup is the equivalent.
Therefore, I gave into the drugs and went to sleep until morning, with minimal (ha ha) interruptions.

July 14th: Home, Finally!

   Arrived home at 12:00pm on Saturday.  That day was spent kicked back, drugged and relaxed.  Took as few bathroom breaks as possible, as it hurt like hell!

   The next 8 days were filled with relaxing, drugs, breathing exercises, drugs, naps, knee/toe exercises, drugs, visitors, naps, phone calls, naps, gifts, cards, drugs, T.V., movies, naps and more drugs. By Tuesday the feeling was back in my toes on Wednesday and Thursday I could begin to feel the cast rattle around my ankle and I could tell the swelling was going down.  Did you know that if knock on certain areas of a cast, the vibrations can help scratch an itch?  This past weekend, I noticed I was less dependent on the drugs and I was looking forward to the doctors appointment on Monday so I could figure out what was underneath my gift box cocoon.       

   Monday afternoon, I arrived at the doctors office and the following is what was unveiled.  If you are squeamish, you may want to scroll past this part.

Little by Little, the unveiling begins

Eager to see what was done

outside incision and stitches.  This is the side that the majority of the repairs were done from

Different view

.Dark purple spot on heal is where one of the screws is inserted

Upper part of football is dried out; lower part is where the rod was inserted into my leg

 A total of one large titanium rod and 4 screws were custom fit into my ankle and leg.  The doctor said this is one of the worst ankles he has ever had to repair and is honestly surprised I was even walking at all.

The left photo has a plunger like item that was used like a guide, that is not in my foot, everything else is!

My lightweight real cast

THS Green

Such great work

All done for now.

  In two weeks, I go back in.  This cast is removed, we take more X-rays, remove stitches, clean wounds and then recast for 4 more weeks.  Any suggestions for my next cast color?

My thanks and appreciation for all the thoughts, prayers, gifts, visits, phone calls, goodies, well wishes.  I will continue to keep you updated on my progress as well as the drugs allow.